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The [[Founders]] attend a meeting of the British Theosophical Society in London on [[January 5]], 1879, on their way to move to India. | The [[Founders]] attend a meeting of the British Theosophical Society in London on [[January 5]], 1879, on their way to move to India. | ||
In August, 1882, [[C. C. Massey]] is elected as President, succeeding Dr. [[George Wyld]]. | In August, 1882, [[C. C. Massey]] is elected as President, succeeding Dr. [[George Wyld]]. The Lodge was not doing very well and Mr. Massey felt that [[Anna Bonus Kingsford|Dr. Anna Kingsford]] was the only one who could keep the group from dying.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 119 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 406.</ref> | ||
On [[January 7]], 1883, there is an annual election of officers. Dr. [[Anna Bonus Kingsford]] (who was still in Paris) is elected President with [[Edward Maitland]] and Dr. Wyld as Vice-Presidents. [[William Tournay Brown|W. T. Brown]] was among its members. | On [[January 7]], 1883, there is an annual election of officers. Dr. [[Anna Bonus Kingsford]] (who was still in Paris) is elected President with [[Edward Maitland]] and Dr. Wyld as Vice-Presidents. [[William Tournay Brown|W. T. Brown]] was among its members. | ||
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== Change of name == | == Change of name == | ||
On [[May 20]], 1883, [[Anna Bonus Kingsford|Dr. Anna Kingsford]] and [[Edward Maitland]] return to England, after a stay in Switzerland, to commence their duties in connection with the British Theosophical Society. Mrs. Kingsford suggests that the name be changed to "London Lodge of the Theosophical Society". On [[June 3]], at a meeting held at 1, Albert Mansions, Victoria St., London, S.W., the English Fellows decide, at Dr. Anna Kinsford's wish, seconded by | On April, 1883, [[Alfred Percy Sinnett|Mr. Sinnett]] moves back to London and joins the Lodge. On [[May 20]], 1883, [[Anna Bonus Kingsford|Dr. Anna Kingsford]] and [[Edward Maitland]] return to England, after a stay in Switzerland, to commence their duties in connection with the British Theosophical Society. Mrs. Kingsford suggests that the name be changed to "London Lodge of the Theosophical Society". On [[June 3]], at a meeting held at 1, Albert Mansions, Victoria St., London, S.W., the English Fellows decide, at Dr. Anna Kinsford's wish, seconded by Mr. Sinnett, to change the name of their Lodge. | ||
== Internal dissension == | |||
On [[October 21]], 1883, due to [[Anna Bonus Kingsford|Dr. Kingsford]] being "unavoidably absent", [[Edward Maitland]] reads an address from her before the Lodge. Several members protested its language and passed a Resolution stating the fact. Internal dissension begins to come out into the open. Members were divided among those who wanted to follow Mr. Sinnett's techings of "Esoteric Buddhism" and those who preferred Mrs. Kingsford's "Christian Esotericism". | |||
On [[December 16]] Mrs. Kingsford and Mr. Maitland draw a confidential Circular severely criticizing the teachings contained in Mr. Sinnett's book [[Esoteric Buddhism (book)|''Esoteric Buddhism'']]. The Circular also stated the necessity of forming a distinct body or group within the general group of the Lodge. | |||
With the date for the election of new authorities approaching, [[Koot Hoomi|Mahatma K.H.]] sent telegrams to Mr. Sinnett and Mrs. Kingsford saying that the latter should remain as President of the Lodge. The reason for this was given by the Master in [[Mahatma Letter No. 120|one of his letters]], where he states that "whether the gifted President of the 'London Lodge' Theos. Soc. entertains feelings of reverence or disrespect toward the humble and unknown individuals at the head of the Tibetan Good Law", due to the fact that the London population was not familiar with Tibetan doctrines a Christian esoteric approach was better fitted "for the purpose we have all at heart, namely the dissemination of TRUTH through Esoteric doctrines, conveyed by whatever religious channel, and the effacement of crass materialism and blind prejudices and skepticism".<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 120 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 409-410.</ref> | |||
However, due to the ill feelings between the two factions, the [[Maha Chohan]] advises to postpone the election until [[April 7]], 1884, when Col. Olcott would visit the Lodge. | |||
A compromise candidate, [[G. B. Finch|Mr. Finch]], was elected as President, Mr. Sinnett Vice-President and Secretary, and Miss [[Francesca Arundale]] as Treasurer. The Kingsford-Maitland group were not happy, and applied for a charter to form a separate Branch, the "Hermetic Theosophical Society". Eventually, the formation of a new Society was suggested to Mrs. Kingsford, and this gave birth to the [[Hermetic Society]]. | |||
== Master M. appears == | == Master M. appears == | ||
On [[April 7]], 1884, when [[Henry Steel Olcott|Colonel Olcott]] | On [[April 7]], 1884, when [[Henry Steel Olcott|Colonel Olcott]] was giving an opening speech at [[G. B. Finch|Mr. Finch]]’s rooms, the astral form of [[Morya|Mahatma M.]] appeared for a few seconds. It was seen by [[Mohini Mohun Chatterji|Mr. Mohini]], [[Mary Gebhard]] and [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Madame Blavatsky]] and Col. Olcott.<ref>[http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/mastersencounterswith.htm# A Casebook of Encounters with the Theosophical Mahatmas] Case 43, compiled and edited by Daniel H. Caldwell</ref> | ||
== Separation and rejoining == | == Separation and rejoining == | ||
Revision as of 16:58, 22 August 2013
The British Theosophical Society was the first official lodge of the Theosophical Society. It was founded on June 27, 1878, in London. On June 3, 1883, the name of the lodge was changed to London Lodge of the Theosophical Society.
Founding
On December 11, 1877, C. C. Massey, W. S. Moses, J. S. Cobb, and Emily Kislingbury met in London to read Col. Olcott's instructions concerning the formation of what eventually became the London Lodge. The first meeting was held on June 27 at 38, Great Russell St., London. Mr. Cobb represented Col. Olcott; C. C. Massey was chosen President; and Miss Kislingbury, Secretary.
The Founders attend a meeting of the British Theosophical Society in London on January 5, 1879, on their way to move to India.
In August, 1882, C. C. Massey is elected as President, succeeding Dr. George Wyld. The Lodge was not doing very well and Mr. Massey felt that Dr. Anna Kingsford was the only one who could keep the group from dying.[1]
On January 7, 1883, there is an annual election of officers. Dr. Anna Bonus Kingsford (who was still in Paris) is elected President with Edward Maitland and Dr. Wyld as Vice-Presidents. W. T. Brown was among its members.
Change of name
On April, 1883, Mr. Sinnett moves back to London and joins the Lodge. On May 20, 1883, Dr. Anna Kingsford and Edward Maitland return to England, after a stay in Switzerland, to commence their duties in connection with the British Theosophical Society. Mrs. Kingsford suggests that the name be changed to "London Lodge of the Theosophical Society". On June 3, at a meeting held at 1, Albert Mansions, Victoria St., London, S.W., the English Fellows decide, at Dr. Anna Kinsford's wish, seconded by Mr. Sinnett, to change the name of their Lodge.
Internal dissension
On October 21, 1883, due to Dr. Kingsford being "unavoidably absent", Edward Maitland reads an address from her before the Lodge. Several members protested its language and passed a Resolution stating the fact. Internal dissension begins to come out into the open. Members were divided among those who wanted to follow Mr. Sinnett's techings of "Esoteric Buddhism" and those who preferred Mrs. Kingsford's "Christian Esotericism".
On December 16 Mrs. Kingsford and Mr. Maitland draw a confidential Circular severely criticizing the teachings contained in Mr. Sinnett's book Esoteric Buddhism. The Circular also stated the necessity of forming a distinct body or group within the general group of the Lodge.
With the date for the election of new authorities approaching, Mahatma K.H. sent telegrams to Mr. Sinnett and Mrs. Kingsford saying that the latter should remain as President of the Lodge. The reason for this was given by the Master in one of his letters, where he states that "whether the gifted President of the 'London Lodge' Theos. Soc. entertains feelings of reverence or disrespect toward the humble and unknown individuals at the head of the Tibetan Good Law", due to the fact that the London population was not familiar with Tibetan doctrines a Christian esoteric approach was better fitted "for the purpose we have all at heart, namely the dissemination of TRUTH through Esoteric doctrines, conveyed by whatever religious channel, and the effacement of crass materialism and blind prejudices and skepticism".[2]
However, due to the ill feelings between the two factions, the Maha Chohan advises to postpone the election until April 7, 1884, when Col. Olcott would visit the Lodge.
A compromise candidate, Mr. Finch, was elected as President, Mr. Sinnett Vice-President and Secretary, and Miss Francesca Arundale as Treasurer. The Kingsford-Maitland group were not happy, and applied for a charter to form a separate Branch, the "Hermetic Theosophical Society". Eventually, the formation of a new Society was suggested to Mrs. Kingsford, and this gave birth to the Hermetic Society.
Master M. appears
On April 7, 1884, when Colonel Olcott was giving an opening speech at Mr. Finch’s rooms, the astral form of Mahatma M. appeared for a few seconds. It was seen by Mr. Mohini, Mary Gebhard and Madame Blavatsky and Col. Olcott.[3]
Separation and rejoining
In February 1909, the lodge separated for a short time from the TS, and changed its name to the Eleusinian Society during this time. In spring 1911, the lodge became again part of the TS, and changed its name back to London Lodge.
Notes
- ↑ Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence No. 119 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 406.
- ↑ Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence No. 120 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 409-410.
- ↑ A Casebook of Encounters with the Theosophical Mahatmas Case 43, compiled and edited by Daniel H. Caldwell